Schools rally planned in Paso Robles this afternoon

Teachers, college students and school administrators hope to put pressure on the state legislature by attending a rally in Paso Robles this afternoon.

Groups are gathering at more than 30 locations statewide to show support for education funding, which faces significant budget cuts that will lead to large-scale layoffs in California schools.

In Paso Robles the rally begins at 4:30 at the corner of 11th and Spring Streets. Robert Skinner, a Paso Robles High School teacher who is active the teachers union, said he has invited school board members and administrators throughout the district to attend. Since universities also face budget cuts, he expects college students and faculty to also attend.

“A lot of this is bringing public attention to the wacky way we fund education,” Skinner said.

The group organizing the rallies, California Advocates United to Save Education (CAUSE), says the state faces $3.8 billion in education cuts. The group’s goal, it maintains, is to transform California from a bottom five education state to a top ten state in terms of funding.

Julian Crocker, superintendent of the San Luis Obispo County Public Schools and Mark Buchman, board member for the San Luis Coastal Unified School District, are expected to speak at the Paso Robles rally.

-- Pat Pemberton

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